One of Spain’s most popular airports to get £16.7million redevelopment with huge new terminal
A MAJOR Spanish airport has revealed its grand multi-million renovation plans.
Alicante-Elche Airport is one of the most popular airports used by Brits, connecting holidaymakers to destinations such as Benidorm.
And Spain airport management company Aena has confirmed a huge €19.8million (£16.7million) revamp.
The main terminal will be expanded to allow space for more passengers, with a larger space for airport parking.
A new general aviation terminal will also be created, with more shops and dining areas.
Within the upgrades is space for non-Schengen travellers – which now includes Brits – with the added gates to reduce queue lengths.
And advanced technology include new security systems that mean passengers can keep liquids and gadgets in their suitcases.
Enhanced tray systems will also reduce queues at security.
A timeline of the new airport revamp is yet to be revealed.
While Spain‘s regional minister for innovation, industry, trade and tourism called the upgrades a “step in the right direction,” she said it wasn’t enough.
She said a second runway was also needed, as well as train links to the airport.
More than 17million passengers used the airport between January and November 2024, making it the fifth busiest in Spain.
Last year, Ryanair launched its first flights from Norwich Airport to Alicante.
But passengers also faced huge queues at Alicante Airport during the peak summer season.
The huge queues were outside the terminal with many unable to get transport.
As many as 100 people were seen waiting to get a taxi at night, with an official saying: “This bad image must stop being a nightmare repeated year after year.”
The Alicante Airport renovation is part of a larger revamp which includes Valencia Airport, with overall costs around €400milion.
And it’s not the only exciting airport news in Europe.
The mega £25billion airport in Poland has confirmed its new location.
Three other new airports opening in Europe
Luis de Camoes Airport, Portugal
First discussed back in 2008, Lisbon has revealed plans for its new Luis de Camoes Airport.
The £7billion airport will replace the current Lisbon Airport.
The new travel hub will have two runways and welcome 100million passengers by 20250. Luis de Camoes Airport hopes to open in 2034.
Kastelli International Airport, Greece
Greece has revealed plans for a huge new £422million airport. Kastelli International Airport will become one of the largest in the country when it opens in Crete.
The new airport will initially be able to welcome up to 10million passengers, when it opens in 2027.
New Bodø Airport, Norway
Norway is replacing its current Bodø Airport with the new £546million New Bodø Airport.
The airport aims to be open by 2029, with the capacity to handle 2.3million passengers per year.
CPK Airport, which will initally welcome up to 34million passengers a year, hopes to start work next year.
When fully finished, it hopes to take on other major hubs with 65million passengers by 2060.